Millimeter-wave detect or reflect array

Abstract

A device for detecting and selectively reflecting an incident microwave signal or millimeter-wave signal is disclosed. The device includes a plurality of antennae disposed in an array; and a diode disposed at each input of each antenna, each diode having an input adapted to selectively receive a reverse bias signal, or a zero bias signal, or a forward bias signal. The device also includes a switching device connected to each input, and configured to selectively apply the forward bias signal, or the reverse bias signal or the zero bias signal to each of the diodes. In forward bias, each of the plurality of antennae reflects the incident microwave signal or millimeter wave signal; and in zero bias or reverse bias each of the plurality of antennae detects the incident microwave signal or millimeter wave signal.

What is claimed: 
     
       1. A device for detecting and selectively reflecting an incident microwave signal or millimeter-wave signal, the device comprising:
 a plurality of antennae disposed in an array; 
 a diode disposed at each input of each antenna, each diode having an input adapted to selectively receive a reverse bias signal, or a zero bias signal, or a forward bias signal; and 
 a switching device connected to each input, and configured to selectively apply the forward bias signal, or the reverse bias signal or the zero bias signal to each of the diodes, wherein in forward bias, each of the plurality of antennae reflects the incident microwave signal or millimeter wave signal, and in zero bias or reverse bias each of the plurality of antennae detects the incident microwave signal or millimeter wave signal. 
 
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1 , further comprising: a 180° hybrid circuit disposed between a pair of antennae, wherein an output of the 180° hybrid circuit is indicative of an angle of arrival of the incident microwave signal or millimeter wave signal. 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 2 , wherein one output of the 180° hybrid circuit is provided to a rectifying diode to provide a DC output proportional to a difference between outputs of two of the plurality of antennae. 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 2 , wherein one output of the 180° hybrid circuit is provided to a rectifying diode to provide a DC output proportional to a sum of inputs of outputs of two of the plurality of antennae. 
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the diode disposed at each input of each antenna is a zero bias Schottky diode. 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of antennae in each of a series of columns are adapted to be addressed by the switching device as addressed columns. 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 6 , wherein in forward bias the addressed columns reflect the incident microwave signal or millimeter wave signal. 
     
     
       8. The device of  claim 6 , wherein in zero bias the addressed columns detect the incident microwave signal or millimeter wave signal. 
     
     
       9. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the array comprises a series of rows and a series of columns. 
     
     
       10. The device of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of antennae in each of the series of rows are addressable by the switching device as addressed rows. 
     
     
       11. The device of  claim 9 , wherein in forward bias addressed rows reflect the incident microwave signal or millimeter wave signal. 
     
     
       12. The device of  claim 9 , wherein in zero bias addressed rows detect the incident microwave signal or millimeter wave signal. 
     
     
       13. The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a delay line adapted to receive the incident microwave signal or millimeter wave signal to emulate a distance. 
 
     
     
       14. The device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of antennae are spaced from one another by a distance that is approximately λ/4, where λ is a wavelength of the incident microwave signal or millimeter wave signal. 
     
     
       15. The device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of antennae are spaced from one another by a distance that is approximately λ/2, where λ is a wavelength of the incident microwave signal or millimeter wave signal, and a device under test (DUT) transmits a single beam. 
     
     
       16. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein each input is disposed at a center-tap of each of the antennae. 
     
     
       17. The device according to  claim 16 , wherein only a direct current voltage is measured at the center-tap. 
     
     
       18. The device according to  claim 17 , wherein a magnitude of the direct current voltage is proportional to the magnitude of the incident microwave signal or millimeter wave signal. 
     
     
       19. The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of arrays of antennae, wherein each of the plurality of arrays of antennae are substantially flat.